#( anthony + hetty | thread 001 )

[himbovillains]

@dolcesuono — continued from here

what with their back-and-forth flirtations and now her proposition to him, it is as good as promised that they are going to end up in bed together. of course, he cannot take it as fully certain, but he would place a wager on it. ‘ i swear it upon my honour that i will make my appreciations of your talents known in the most ardent of manners. ’ he reaches past her, under the guise of pushing his empty glass closer towards the centre of the table, when it reality it just gives him a viable excuse to brush his hand against hers without anyone noticing that being what he's trying to do. ‘ is that acceptable? or perhaps i shall go on to tell you of the many ways my mouth can sing your praises. ’ he pauses, apparently considering what he'd just said to her. ‘ though perhaps i should leave that for a more private location, where there are less prying ears to hear what i may say. ’ as though he wouldn't be waiting until they were alone anyway, as though he doesn't know exactly what it is that he's doing when he teases her like this.

[himbovillains]

‘ is that so? ’ he hasn't taken his eyes off of her once, not since this conversation had taken a turn. why would he want to? it's not as if she isn't easy on the eyes. but more than that, she's holding his interest. there is no need for him to look around in an attempt to find someone that he would rather be conversing with. ‘ then perhaps i should be the one asking you for lessons. i have no doubt that your expertise has a wide spread, given your performance earlier. ’ he pauses, allows his words to sink in. ‘ by which i simply mean that you put on an impressive show. a remarkable display of talent. ’ they must both know that's not what he means, but he isn't going to presume anything about her. yes, he has his suspicions, given how this interaction between them has gone so far, but he could be entirely wrong. though he would certainly be disappointed if he was, given that this may be the most he's enjoyed a conversation with a stranger in a good while. ‘ perhaps i may entreat you for a private showing? ’ he finishes the small amount of wine that he has left and deposits the empty crystalware on the closest surface, still not taking his eyes off of her. ‘ only if it is not too much trouble, of course. ’

himbovillains​  //  anthony bridgerton.

ilk recognises ilk, or so it appears. she had been quick to continue in this charade of keeping up appearances with him, when he had every expectation for her to leave him standing here alone.  ‘ my family have always been devoted patrons of the arts, it would be wrong of me not to continue that tradition. ’  were it not for the close proximity with which he stands to her, or the looks on their faces ( the smirk she holds on her features now matches the borderline lascivious way he regards her over the rim of his wine glass ), anyone would think they were having a fairly regular conversation that matches the tone of the evening. but of course, anthony’s reputation precedes him — or rather, the fact that he barely looks twice in the direction of a woman that he has no interest in sleeping with does. it’s a remarkably well-known fact, despite the best efforts of his mother to keep his reputation from being besmirched, because his dance card is irrevocably stained from his past endeavours.  ‘ such is my generous nature, i am loathe to expect payment for a lesson that could so easily be given free of cost. i must say, i have found many a willing participant, as of late. ’

“  mmmm, you are truly a saint, my lord,  ”    she hums in agreement.    “  it is a wonder you’ve yet to be canonized.  ”    a sideways glance confirms much of what she’d expected - they are being watched. not by all, of course. not everyone cares much for the doings of one particular rake and one particular opera singer. but it is enough that whispers will surely travel. the knowledge irks her just a little. she’s worked hard not to be known as a kept woman - one who is independent, regardless of the size of her bank account. and yet… she cannot quite bring herself to walk away, to end the conversation with a polite excuse and move on. and that irks her even more… but, she has to confess, parts other than her logical mind are driving her this evening… she tilts her head to the side, considering him a moment as she takes another sip of her wine.    “  you know, i find myself almost curious about what sort of lessons you could impart. but -  ”    she punctuates it with a shrug.    “  - as i am already an expert myself, i’m not sure there is much you could teach me,  ”    she adds, a smirk on her lips.